Trees, Toddlers and Toes

Woke up to another beautiful fall morning....some fog and some sunlight make a
great combination.  Can you see the little spider webs in the wet grass?

Still looking for some fall color...here are some sumac leaves turning red

More sun and fog and trees.  I never get tired of spending time
along this creek early in the morning (when I get up early in the
morning?!)

I did do a little art today.  I have this portrait to do for someone for Christmas.  This is the
second one I have done for this customer.  The drawing is large, 16 x 20 before the
mat.  This is the hardest phase...getting it all down in the right proportion, etc.  I think I have
a good start, so the rest should be easier...hopefully?!



And then this is the last "painting project" of the day...just
resting on the couch, waiting for them to dry!

We are still working hard on getting ready for Open House. 
Tomorrow, Nov 2, is a First Friday and we are giving
away a $50 Gift Certificate.  Come by the shop and
you can register to win!

sheltongail@hotmail.com

Arkansas Bound

Crystal Bridges Art Museum in Bentonville, Arkansas

A trail in the museum grounds

Rock Ledge trail

I am planning a little trip this fall, to see some fall foliage, some art,
and hopefully some elk!  All of these objectives are going to be found
up in Arkansas, just one state away.  A friend is going with me, and
we are planning to try to see the elk herd that is around the Buffalo River
near Harrison, in northern Arkansas.  I want to do some photography and some
painting, and some sightseeing.  I'd like to make it to the new Crystal Bridges
Art museum too, over in Bentonville.  It was the dream of one of the
Waltons (of Walmart), and the pics above show what it looks like.
It looks as if the grounds are as impressive as the art collection.
Should be a great place to take some pics and get some inspiration! 

sheltongail@hotmail.com

Morning Has Broken

I have really been enjoying these beautiful

fall mornings. Since I don't usually rise

very early (ha!), these late sunrises have

been wonderful. This morning was breathtaking..

the fall colors are warming up; the morning

fog was burning off, and the sunbeams were

dancing in the trees.

"Joyful, joyful, we adore Thee,

God of wonder, God of love."

Have a blessed day!

sheltongail@hotmail.com

Welcome to my new followers! I am so

humbled to have you aboard. Stay tuned

for some giveaways soon!

Leaves have left the Building

I had some people in the gallery Saturday that were

very interested in buying a piece. They were interested

in some of the colored pencil pieces so I showed them

several ( some tootsie pops, pinwheels, sunglasses,

and suckers). Then they wanted to see some of the

photos on canvas, and they looked at some of the Paris

images, Greek images, and finally, this Costa Rica photo

of some fallen leaves. And this is the one they left with!

I always like it when the viewer has some response or

reaction to the piece, and then they end up taking it

home. It is my hope that they will enjoy it for many

years, and feel good when they see it.

Most artists have a story behind their work, and if I get

the chance, I enjoy sharing the stories with the customers.

I believe it to be a selling point sometimes, because if they

relate to the story or like it, they will repeat it when other

viewers see the piece. They seemed to enjoy my story

about seeing these leaves in Costa Rica, floating in the

pond, artfully arranged by God. I stood on a bridge over

them, and photographed them. Then I reached down

and re-arranged them several times and took some more.

This image was the original, and the one I liked the best.

My feeble attempts to arrange them were no match for

the random pattern made when they fell.

I guess you could read some spiritual meaning into all

that....It is always much better when God arranges elements

in our lives instead of us. We just need to learn to recognize

His hand, and leave things alone! Hope you have had a

blessed Sunday.

sheltongail@hotmail.com

Falling for Autumn

A few photos I took this afternoon around

my home. It was a beautiful day, warm and

sunny. The leaves are beginning to turn, and

some have already fallen. I strolled around

accompanied by Huey, Dewey, and Louie,

and enjoyed the scenery. Hope you had a

wonderful Lord's day as well.

sheltongail@hotmail.com